Lok Saha polls near, Cong softens stand on rebels

Eyeing the approaching Lok Sabha elections, the Congress has reportedly softened its stand towards party rebels. The party's disciplinary committee has authorised its state chief, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to take a final call on leaders who had been issued show-cause notices for anti-party activities before the assembly elections.

Eyeing the approaching Lok Sabha elections, the Congress has reportedly softened its stand towards party rebels. The party's disciplinary committee has authorised its state chief, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to take a final call on leaders who had been issued show-cause notices for anti-party activities before the assembly elections.

The party's disciplinary committee met at the party headquarters here to discuss the show-causes notices issued to 86 Congress leaders and workers.

During the meeting chaired by the Congress' disciplinary committee head, former chief secretary AN Vidyarthi, replies given by the 86 leaders and workers were analysed. Later, the committee authorised Sukhu to take a final call on the candidates after seeking feedback from block and district presidents concerned, and the rebel leaders and workers.

Congress spokesperson Naresh Chauhan confirmed this. He added that the disciplinary committee had also recommended for return of 24 leaders to party. However, committee could not decide on the fate of leaders expelled at the time of the assembly elections.

Ahead of the assembly elections, the party had expelled 25 leaders.

Those prominent included Karnesh Jung, who contested as an Independent candidate against the party nominee.

Jung, who defeated the Congress candidate from Poanta, is now an associate member of the party. Prem Lata Thakur, wife of former horticulture minister Satya Parkash Thakur, was also expelled. She contested against Congress' Sunder Thakur in Kullu.

Former Congress legislators Kashmir Singh from Ghumarwin, Ishawar Dass from Anni and Mastram from Karsog were also expelled for rebelling against the official candidate. Former Congress legislator Ishwar Dass had contested against Congress' Khoob Ram in Anni.